Utica-Rome Speedway to partner with NASCAR in 2014

VERONA >> Saturday’s Utica-Rome Speedway awards banquet opened with a bang as the hundreds who gathered to celebrate the 2013 season were informed the Vernon track will be partnering with NASCAR in 2014.

Kevin Nevalainen, senior manager of weekly racing operations for NASCAR, was on hand at Turning Stone Resort Casino for the announcement and spoke to the crowd about what to expect from NASCAR and some of the benefits of the sanctioning. Utica-Rome race director John Tiff also addressed what competitors should expect for the 2014 season, starting on the decision to go NASCAR. Besides the insurance benefits to NASCAR licensed members, Tiff talked about an increase in the Modifieds’ point fund by $10,000 overall, with the track champion’s share now up to $13,000. The other three divisions will also see an increase in their season ending point funds as long as they are NASCAR licensed competitors.

Overall payouts to the competitors will be bolstered by over $15,000 with the addition of NASCAR.

Tiff discussed the high-paying in 2014 for the Modifieds, which will be anchored by the traditional Victoria 200 Weekend, New Yorker 200 Weekend and Night of Legends event. Also mentioned was the return of the Super DIRTcar Series to the Vernon oval, which will be held on Wednesday, June 25. Because Utica-Rome Speedway is participating in the Super DIRTcar Series, when the series goes to Cornwall on June 29 the Modifieds will compete in a non-point event at Utica-Rome Speedway. This will allow any series regular that competes weekly at U-R to compete at Cornwall without penalty. A competitor that races Utica-Rome Speedway weekly will now have the opportunity to compete for the $13,000 to win track title, NASCAR State and National titles, Super DIRTcar Series title, Race of Champions Modified Series and the American Racer Cup without penalty.

Minor rule changes for 2014 were also discussed. Sail panels will now be allowed weekly in the Modifieds, using the rules from the Victoria and New Yorker events. The only change in the Sportsman is that competitors will now be allowed to use MSD ignition as will the Pro Stocks. Also, aftermarket front sub frames will allowed in the Pro Stocks. In the Pure Stocks, there will be a cleanup of the language concerning tire sizes and now there will be a specific size mandated.

Tiff also announced that the 2014 version of the Cole Cup will now pay $10,000 to the winner. The first annual event this past September drew over 50 of the best 360 drivers in the Northeast.

The 2014 season will begin on April 27.

Looking back at 2013, the top ten in each division were honored during the awards portion of the evening.

In the Modifieds, Stewart Friesen was honored for his fourth consecutive title and sixth overall while his race team’s co-owner Roxann Cullen was on hand to accept the $10,000 championship check. Friesen was in Charlotte competing in the World Finals, which he coincidently won at the same time he was being honored for his track championship. Cullen read a prepared speech by Friesen, who thanked his crew for their hard work and looked forward to defending his title in 2014. Special awards were given to Matt Sheppard for Most Outstanding Performance, Mike Bowman for the Determination Award and Ryan Phelps for Most Improved.

Matt Janczuk was once again honored as the Sportsman track champion, his third consecutive championship. While accepting his championship hardware, Janczuk stated his intentions to move up into the Modified ranks for the 2014 season. Jeremy Vunk was awarded for Outstanding Performance, Craig Pope for Determination and Claude Hutchings Jr. for Most Improved in the Sportsman division’s special awards.

Tom Denton was honored for his third consecutive and seventh overall title in the Pro Stocks ranks while Glenn Forward, Bret Belden, Pete Stefanski, and Mark Effner on hand to collect their top five honors. Shawn Frost, Ed Ostrander, Chris Carr, AJ Digsby, and Joe Palmer were also honored while Glenn Forward collected the special award for Outstanding Performance while Bill Knapp was honored for Determination and Corey Locke chosen for Most Improved.

In the Pure Stocks, Ron Hawker claimed his third straight title, fourth overall, over teammate Ricky Breed. Receiving special awards were Ricky Breed for Outstanding Performance, Bryan Owens for Determination and Chris Watkins for Most Improved.